The San Diego Traveler

All About Alpine

by Carole A. Lane on March 20th, 2007

Before we say farewell to winter (at 5:07 p.m. PST), I’d like to explore one of San Diego’s eastern communities, the town of Alpine.  Alpine just sounds like winter, doesn’t it, conjuring images of pristine snow-blanketed mountains and lovely ski chalets?  Well, it’s not.  It’s actually more country desert than ski slopes.

Alpine is a small town of about 17,000 people (as of 2006) on 17,000 acres (or roughly 26.56 square miles) in East County San Diego.  It lies on a relatively flat plateau in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains.

Alpine sits thirty miles east of the city of San Diego, and 11.5 miles east-northeast of El Cajon.  Although it’s very accessible, right off Interstate 8, residents are attracted to its small town, country feeling, with its apple orchards and rolling landscapes. 

Other factors that attract people to Alpine include the low crime rate, good schools, and lovely climate.

Take a Photo Tour of Alpine Street Scenes for a glimpse of this charming town.

History

Alpine was originally a settlement of the Kumeyaay Indians, who continue to live in and around Alpine today.  In 1846 the land was  granted to Ramon and Leandro Osuna, who called it ”Rancho Valle de las Viejas & Mesa del Arroz” or “Valley of the Old Ones and Grassy Mesa.”

It was later called Viejas Stage Stop because it was on the road to what was then called Viejas Valley (now Alpine Center).  In 2006, this same road (State Highway 80, aka Interstate 8)  was designated an historic highway by the State of California, with a celebration reaching from Seaport Village to Viejas Casino. 

In 1955, Viejas Stage Stop was renamed Alpine.

In 1998, Alpine was proclaimed America’s first Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, with over 100 gardens registered as Backyard Wildlife Habitats.

In 2001, the Viejas fire burned 10,350 acres in and around Alpine.

A brief (but much more detailed) history of Alpine can be found on the Alpine Historical Society’s site. 

The history of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians is available through their website as well.

An Alpine timeline can also be found online through the historical society.

Weather

During World War I, Alpine was named “Best Climate in the U. S. A. by Govenment Report,” after a government survey determined that the Alpine climate was very well suited for the convalescence of soldiers with respiratory diseases.  This was, in fact, where many people, including soldiers, came to recuperte.

Sadly, clean air is not what Alpine is famous for today.  Atmospheric temperature inversions occur at around 2000 feet, trapping pollutants below the warm air.  Alpine’s elevation sits between 1700 feet and 2600 feet, and since pollutants tend to rise and disperse, and then get stuck below the inversion layer, Alpine registers as the smoggiest location in San Diego County.

This area is very temperate throughout the year.  According to The Weather Channel, the average high temperature in the hottest months in Alpine (July and August) is 89 degrees F and the average low is 61 or 62 degrees F.  In Alpine’s coldest months (December and January), the average high is 65 and the low is 43 degrees F.

Monthly temperature and precipitation averages are available on The Weather Channel. 

Government

Alpine is one of San Diego’s unincorporated communities.  It has no mayor or city council; instead it is governed by the 15-member Alpine Planning Group.  This group has researched the possibility of incorporating into a city, but has determined that they don’t have the tax base to do so.

There is also an honorary mayor, named by the Alpine Chamber of Commerce.  For 2007, real estate professional Greg Fox has been honored with this title.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department patrols Alpine, through the Alpine Substation.  This substation patrols beyond Alpine for a total range of about 135 miles, including the Sycuan and Viejas Indian Reservations.

The Indian tribes are self-governing.

Economy

Alpine has a thriving economy powered by a dynamic business community, according to the local Chamber of Commerce.  The largest business in Alpine is the Viejas Casino, which was the first tribal gaming facility in California.

The Alpine Chamber of Commerce frequently reminds residents to shop locally through their “Shop Alpine First” campaign.

 There are four shopping complexes, Alpine Creek Shopping Center, the Country Side Center, JK Corral, and the largest, the Viejas Outlet Center, which has been nationally recognized for its design and landscaping.  Take a Photo Tour of the Alpine Central Business District for a view of the variety of businesses found in Alpine.

Hundreds of Alpine’s residents also operate home-based businesses.

For more information about the Alpine economy, see the Alpine Chamber of Commerce.

Real Estate values can be found at  http://rereport.com/sdc/monthly/alpine.html

Natural Resources

The mineral dumortierite is found near Alpine, just south of Alpine-Dehesa Road.

The color of the dumortierite found in this region is lilac, which is markedly different than specimens found elsewhere which vary from blue to an orangy-clay color.

Things to Do in Alpine

Gambling, concerts and restaurants can all be found at Viejas Casino, known as “San Diego’s Favorite Casino.”

On April 7, the Viejas Casino will host a contestant casting call for the gameshow “Deal or No Deal,” so be sure to be there by 10 a.m. if you want to take on the mob. 

Right across the street, you can shop or grab some fastfood, sushi or Italian food at Viejas Outlet Center.  Viejas Concerts in the Park are held at Viejas Park at the Outlet Center with musical performers such as the B-52’s, Joss Stone, and Los Lonely Boys, and comedians Bill Cosby and Bill Engvall all scheduled in coming months.

While you’re running around town, why not tune into Alpine’s own radio station Lite 107.9 FM? 

 There are several historic sites to visit while you’re in town.  These include:

•  Alpine Historical Society Museum
• Adam and Caroline Beaty House 
• Dr. Sophronia Nichols House
• The John DeWitt Museum and Library
•  Alpine Cemetery

Be sure to stop by Roy Athey’s Descanso, Alpine & Pacific Railway.  This backyard railway has carried thousands of passengers through Athey’s property and is a testament to what one obsessed train-lover can build, given enough time, land, friends, and a supportive family . 

If you need a little time to relax and reflect on your day, head to Donna Maria’s Tea Time or to Cobblestone Cottage Tea Shoppe for:

A glorious afternoon of friendship, fresh air, delicious tea, tasty food, and dress up..

If you’re a nature lover, spend some time in Wright’s Field, Alpine’s nature preserve.  (An article reviewing Wright’s Field can be found at the SanDiegoReader.com.)  Fishing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and off-roading are all popular activities in nearby lakes and mountain trails.

The ideal time to visit Alpine is during the Sage & Songbirds Festival (a project of CHIRP), an annual event taking place on the first weekend in May.  This year’s festival includes a tour of Alpine’s bird-and-butterfly-friendly gardens, the release of thousands of live butterflies, plant sales, educational programs and youth activities, caterpillar races, a photo contest, and live birds of prey demonstration.  The highlight of the event is CHIRP’s walk-through butterfly house (open on sunny days May through October), where visitors are greeted by thousands of live butterflies.

The Alpine Stagecoach Lions will host their 3rd Annual Novelty Dog Show on June 2.  With categories like Least Trained Dog, Saddest Looking Dog, and Child with the Best Dressed Dog, this should be a very entertaining event for everyone, including the dogs.

If you like parades, come to the Alpine Viejas Days Parade in October or the Alpine Village Christmas Light Parade on the last Saturday in November.

Where to Stay

Alpine’s the kind of place where you’d expect to find a bed & breakfast, isn’t it?  The Victoria Rock Bed & Breakfast is just such a place, complete with a gazebo, spa, and lilypond.  They also happen to be registered with the National Wildlife Federation as Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

There’s also Ayres Inn, with 98 guest rooms, a swimming pool and spa, and Queen Anne style furnishings, just three miles from Viejas Casino and Outlet Center.

Although there are not many hotels or B&B’s in Alpine, more can be found in the surrounding communities of El Cajon, Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Santee.  The Viejas Shuttle Bus picks up and drops off in these locations throughout the day.

For further information about Alpine and upcoming events, see:

Alpine Chamber of Commerce

Alpine - City Data

Alpine Community Center

Alpine Historical Society & Museum

Alpine Kiwanis Club

The Alpine Sun

Alpine Union School District

San Diego East Visitors Bureau

Soroptimist International of Alpine

in addition to all of the links mentioned in this article.

If there is anything else that you’d like us to know about Alpine, or if you have Alpine photos to share, please add your comments or email your photos.  I’d love to hear from you.

Share This

Related Stories

Alpine Union School District
San Diego Public Schools
Our Hometown Heroes in Beijing
This Weekend in San Diego
San Diego Garden Clubs

POSTED IN: Attractions, Business & Finance, Entertainment, Events, History, Politics & Religion, Recreation, Tourism/Travel